56 



SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



I observed a smoke rising above the head of a 

 lady who was playing on the piano forte ; and 

 on going round to ascertain the cause, I 

 found that, notwithstanding her engagement 

 at the instrument, she did not forego her 

 segar, but was puffing the fumes away in 

 volumes from mouth and nostrils. I never 

 saw females in any country on such good 

 terms with each other ; expressing the 

 greatest delight in meeting, and embracing 

 most affectionately at parting. The lady 

 and gentleman of the mansion are always re- 

 minding you that the house and all that it 

 contains are at your disposal, and if you 

 express your admiration of any thing that 

 belongs to them, they immediately assure 

 you it is at your service. These are, it need 

 scarcely be again repeated, mere words of 

 course, hyperbolical compliments, which al- 

 most go beyond the old Spanish salutation : 

 " May you live a thousand years." 



